Assembly Resolution No. 914

BY: M. of A. Gunther

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        May 2020, as Mental Health Month in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in
events designed to raise awareness of serious health issues; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Mental Health Month in
the State of New York, in conjunction  with  the  observance  of  Mental
Health America's May is Mental Health Month; and

  WHEREAS, Mental Health Month (MHM) began in 1949, to raise awareness
of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all; and

  WHEREAS,  Mental  illness  is  common, yet many never get help; 18.5
percent of adults (nearly 1 in 5) will have  a  mental  illness  in  any
given  year,  yet  only  41  percent of people with a mental illness use
mental health services in any given year;  furthermore,  for  those  who
ultimately  do  get  help,  the average delay in getting treatment is 10
years from the first onset of symptoms; and

  WHEREAS, The first signs and symptoms  of  mental  health  problems,
some  of  which  develop  to  the  point  of becoming diagnosable mental
illness begin on average, at about 14 years of age; and

  WHEREAS, Untreated mental illness has serious consequences; this  is
a  serious  problem  because  unrecognized,  untreated  and late treated
mental illness elevates the risk of mental health crises such as suicide
and self-injury, diminishes prospects for recovery  and  contributes  to
substance abuse and other damaging negative coping behaviors; and

  WHEREAS,  1  in  12  high  school  students  have attempted suicide;
suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages  10-24,  and  also
the  second leading cause of death for college-age youth and ages 12-18;
and

  WHEREAS, More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than  from
cancer,   heart   disease,   AIDS,  birth  defects,  stroke,  pneumonia,
influenza, and chronic lung disease combined; and

  WHEREAS, Many adults miss or dismiss these early signs and  symptoms
and young people are even less likely to recognize or understand what is
happening  to them; and even when there is some recognition that a young
person is struggling, stigma often causes people to ignore,  dismiss  or
rationalize  a child's true need for help; the result is often as tragic
as it is unnecessary; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness  of
this  health  issue,  and  more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May of 2020, as Mental
Health Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.